Ridge Crossing in the Dunes

Filed in archive ATV Safety on December 26, 2006

Hat tip to duneguide.com for the video

Below is a video from the spring of 2005 at Sand Mountain showing the benefits of crossing over a ridge properly at the dunes. Note in the video at what angle the sand rail approaches the top of the dune: It is almost parallel with the top of the ridge as opposed to going straight over the top, which all but eliminates the ability to adjust for something on the other side, including people and/or vehicles, or even a much steeper face on the other side than you might have expected.

In the short video, just as the rail is ready to cross over, you will see the head of an individual who was sitting just on the other side of the ridge, and the subsequent reaction and quick adjustment by the driver as he changes course to avoid going over the ridge and landing on the person on the other side.

If the driver of the rail had gone straight over the ridge, at any speed, he likely would have hit the person sitting on the other side.

This video also illustrates how important it is to have a (required by law) whip with a flag on all vehicles in the dunes.